What will soon be the home of the new Atglen Public Library (APL) was the site of an egg scavenger hunt on April 3, during which participants received 12 clues to locate eggs hidden in the borough.

The event was based on last November's history scavenger hunt held to celebrate APL's 75th anniversary. "The scavenger hunt format has been a hit for us. It checks all the boxes for a COVID-safe activity, and we have had an excellent response from the community," noted Robbyn Kehoe, library director.

During the most recent event, each clue led to a location that was marked with a laminated decorative paper egg attached to a stake. Each egg had a letter printed on it, and participants kept track of the letters and then unscrambled them to spell a word. When they were finished, participants received refreshments and bags of candy. Also available were free grab bags of books removed from the library's permanent collection and several make-and-take crafts.

The scavenger hunt was also a way for patrons to become familiar with the library's new location at 121 Main St., Atglen. Kehoe hopes that the library, which features energy-efficient LED lighting, off-street parking and plate-glass storefront windows, will open in the near future. "I won't say when because I have been wrong every time," Kehoe said. "It's an old building without one square corner, and there have been COVID-related supply chain issues as well."

APL will rent the space, just as it has rented its current space since 1996. "The building owner is providing all of the renovations to meet code and structural standards for the weight of the books," Kehoe said. This also include a state-of-the-art HVAC system that will provide fresh air intake, filtration and air purification. "It has been empty since 2008, when Nick's Chicks left the space," Kehoe noted. "The building owner had removed the restaurant equipment some time ago."

According to Kehoe, the oldest part of the building was used as a dry goods store in the early 1850s by William McCanna. W.D. Swisher built a brick addition around 1900. The building was home to Sener's Store in the mid-1900s and then Atglen Market in the 1980s and '90s.

"George Sener was the library's first president, and Mary Young, his sister, was a driving force in establishing the library," Kehoe said. "While we do not have evidence the library ever existed in this building, it feels like going home."

In preparation for housing a library, the floors of the old commercial building were reinforced to accept the weight of the books. Workers also dug out the basement and poured a new cement floor.

The new library facility will offer more than twice the public space as the current library. There will be a small meeting room for public use and an activity room for programs. "We (also) want to offer public vending machines and coffee service," noted Kehoe.

"The library is responsible for providing furnishings and some of the flooring. We are raising funds now for a new service desk, shelving and seating," added Kehoe. "We are about a third of the way to our goal. We would really like to have comfy chairs in the windows for patrons to relax in."

For more information about the new facility and to contribute to the library's capital campaign, visit http://www.atglenpubliclibrary.org or call the library at 610-593-6848.